KATHMANDU, APRIL 28 A new trekking destination offering direct views of Everest and four other 8,000-metre peaks has been identified in the Jugal Himalayan range of Sindhupalchok district, the closest such viewpoint to Kathmandu, in what organisers say could open a significant new chapter in Nepal's domestic and inbound tourism. The site, named Jugal Everest View Point, sits at 5,570 metres above sea level and was successfully reached on April 16 2026 by a four-member team led by Milan Tamang, alongside record-setting Everest climber Lakpa Dendi Sherpa, 15-year-old Ngima Wangchhu Sherpa, and local resident Pema Sherpa. The achievement was announced at a press interaction at the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu on Monday. From the viewpoint, trekkers can observe Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse, and Shishapangma in a single field of view. The trail - running Kathmandu–Jugal–Nepemasal–View Point and back - can be completed in five days. No technical equipment is required, and the route is considered accessible to anyone with average physical fitness. 'This is a point anyone can climb,' said team leader Tamang. The cost is estimated at approximately Rs 40,000 for Nepali trekkers, while foreign visitors can complete the trip for around USD 1,000 - positioning the destination as an affordable high-altitude experience by international standards. The expedition was conducted under an exploration project led by Jugal Rural Municipality and its Tourism Development Committee. Jugal Rural Municipality Chair Resham Syangbo said the local government would facilitate visiting trekkers, while Chief Administrative Officer Gaurab Raj KC expressed hope that the discovery would draw broad support for tourism promotion in the area. Former MP Madhav Sapkota, Bagmati Province Assembly Member Saral Sahayatri, and NTB Vice-Chair Kamal Sapkota attended the event and expressed confidence that the new destination would prove a milestone for Sindhupalchok's tourism economy. Representatives of the Sindhu Tourism Entrepreneurs Association emphasised the site's commercial potential and the importance of ensuring visitor safety. The Jugal Himalayan range was formally opened for climbing in Chaitra 2075 following the first successful ascent after a long period of restrictions. Several of its peaks have since been progressively opened. However, concern was raised at Monday's event about bulldozers reaching the Jugal glacier in connection with hydropower development activities in the area.